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About Sandra Conti-Todd
Expertise
NOTE: I am sorry for any long delays in responses. I have been going through some personal issues with my life but things are looking up for me and I am getting my life back on track again and will promise to be here for all rat lovers to help guide you on proper care. Love to all of you! To request a telephone consultation, please email sandyscrittercity@yahoo.com. in order to schedule a date and time that is feasible for both you and I. There is no time limit on weekends or after 99pm M-F or if your cell phone carrier is Verizon Wireless. There is no charge for a telephone consultation. I offer my advice free of charge since my goal is to simply keep your rats happy and healthy for as long as possible. My reward is knowing that people learning as much as they can on rat care in order to provide the best care possible. Thats all I need to know. You cant put a price tag on love:) As one of the top experts here at allexperts for 2008, I am happy to be able to help advise others on the proper care of pet rats. I am a rat care specialist/advisor for area vets and have 20 plus years experience working with rodents. I can advise you on the most current treatments available to your rat for common and also complicated ailments that seem to affect domestic rats during their life time. I do telephone consults and have even had some wonderful Vets call me to compare notes/stories. I also have training in animal behavior with the main focus being the study of rodent behavior. I also have experience with wild rats, raising one myself .

Experience
My expertise Includes the following: 1. Education on prevention of tumors, lung and heart disease and disease of the kidneys too. 2. Up to date treatments for tumors in rats,both benign or malignant tumors. 3. The most current treatments used successfully to treat lung and heart disease 4. Prevention and treatment of the mycoplasma organism that our rats are plagued with since the day they are born, among other common ailments that attack our rats, just to name a few. My job as a rodent consultant is to educate the owner on proper care of the animal but in no way does my advice take the place of seeking professional treatment by a qualified Veterinarian. However, I will contribute to this site by answering your questions about raising pet rats and any problems that may arise regarding their health, diet, husbandry and over all well being of the rat to **the best of my ability.**

Organizations
I maintain my website, Critter City and update it often to keep up with current treatments concerning pet rat health care. Please click the link above to take you there!

Publications
My own website of course, and also I have brochures on rat care that are found in various animal clinics in my area.

Education/Credentials
Mentored by highly noted exotic specialists in my area.
I am a member of the ASPCA.

Awards and Honors
Was honored by being chosen to be one of the top 50 experts of 2008

Past/Present Clients
My past clients have been through various animal clinics and I also am mentor to new rat owners that reach me through here and my website too.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Exotic Pets > Pet Rats > respitory disease

Pet Rats - respitory disease

Expert: Sandra Conti-Todd - 11/6/2009

Question
My little Nummy has had respitory problems. She has taken antibiotics + been on a nebulizer. I would like to know if I can use + how to implement any vitamins antioxidants the omega 3,6 I have recently read Dr.Hind's thoughts on best nutrition - www.2ndchance.info/ratlover.htm. I would like to know anything I can do to prolong her life + keep her healthy how do I go about getting a consultation with you.

Answer
Hi there

I dont usually suggest vitamins to be honest. As long as the rat is getting a properly balanced diet, thats what is most important. As for Dr.Hinds page on respiratory infection, it is very outdated. The drugs he suggests to use are outdated and there has since been other drugs that have been found to work better than what he suggests.

The culprit of respiratory infection is often mycoplasmosis but it is often accompanied by a secondary infection which is why its best to use two antibiotics that compliment each other. Baytril is the drug of choice if dealing with mycoplasmosis pulmonis, but amoxil or another type of penicillin based drug is ideal to give in sync with baytril. Using a nebulizer is also a good way to get the drugs directly into the lungs. In more serious infection, gentocin or amakacin are also a good drug to use via the nebulizer but for short term use only as these drugs can be nephrotoxic in some cases. However, no documented cases have been seen in rats, luckily, and the benefits outweigh the risks as well. Steroids are also fantastic when there is inflammation of the lungs and if the rat is hypoxic, its a good idea to use a Bronchodilator such as albuterol. This will open the airways and help the rat breathe easier.

If you would like a personal consultation, please write to me at Sandyscrittercity@yahoo.com and we can schedule a telephone consult. There is no charge for this at all.

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